Footwear Buying Assistant: End-to-End Product Support

We're looking for a Buying Assistant to join our friendly, fast-paced Buying team at Pavers, on a fixed term contract, ending 31st May 2027. Based at our Head Office in York, this is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is highly organised, detail-focused, and looking to build a career within Buying and Retail. You'll play an important role in supporting the smooth delivery of our product ranges, working closely with Buying, Merchandising, Quality and Technical teams across the business. This role offers plenty of variety and is ideal for someone who enjoys working collaboratively, managing multiple priorities, and supporting the end-to-end product process from initial setup through to launch.

About the role

This is a varied and hands-on role where you'll provide essential support across administration, supplier coordination, sample management, and product data processes. Working closely with the wider Buying team, you'll help ensure products are delivered accurately, on time, and in line with critical paths and business requirements. You'll also support Quality and Technical processes, helping maintain product compliance, supplier documentation, and accurate product information.

• Manage purchase orders, order logs, and sample processes in line with critical paths and range plans.
• Coordinate with suppliers to track deliveries, resolve non-compliance issues, and support on-time order fulfilment.
• Support execution of seasonal product strategies alongside Merchandising and Marketing teams.
• Maintain accurate product information including product USPs, labels, and internal system data.
• Oversee sample handling, fittings, styling, tracking, and maintenance of sample libraries.
• Provide administrative support to the Buying team including spreadsheets, meetings, reviews, and supplier appointments.
• Support pricing updates, order confirmations, invoice checks, and general order management processes.
• Prepare reports and product updates for Buying meetings and stakeholders.
• Respond to internal product queries and develop product knowledge through store visits and training.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure pricing accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
• Support AQL inspection processes, maintaining logs and ensuring product faults are recorded and communicated.
• Assist with product fit sessions, supporting preparation and documentation of feedback.
• Support creation and maintenance of spec sheets, including embedding test results and product data.
• Assist with sample shipments and logistics, ensuring accuracy and cost awareness.
• Check production labels to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Support tracking of factory compliance documentation and escalate non-compliance where required.
• Assist with organising product re-work or corrections with third parties where necessary.

Strong communication skills with the confidence to work effectively with internal teams, stakeholders, and suppliers. Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Comfortable working with internal systems and product information. Previous experience within a Buying, Merchandising, or retail environment would be beneficial. A genuine interest in footwear and retail. Positive, proactive approach with a willingness to learn and support the wider team.

The Pavers story began in York in 1971 when Catherine Paver took out a £200 bank loan to fund her new business. She had big dreams of changing the world of footwear and a passion to provide comfortable and stylish shoes for all. Starting small, she sold shoes at village halls and homeware parties before opening the first Pavers shop in Scarborough in 1981, when Catherine's three sons joined the business. One of her sons, Stuart, ran the business as Managing Director for over 40 years, joined by his son Jason in 2016. As of September 2023, Jason Paver is now the Managing Director of Pavers Ltd, with Stuart Paver moving to Chairman, taking the company into the 3rd generation of family run leadership. From these modest beginnings, Pavers Shoes has grown to be a UK leader in today's footwear industry, with over 180 stores nationwide encompassing our more recently acquired brands including Jones Bootmaker, Herring Shoes, Padders & Van Dal. We remain acquisitive, highly profitable, and are an ever-growing, independent family-run business, employing over 1,900 people. We were delighted to be recognised as a 3employer for workplace engagement and to receive an 'Excellent' rating for our Employee Experience from WorkL in June 2025. At Pavers, we believe our success is driven by the talent, passion, and dedication of our colleagues, and we're proud to see that reflected in this achievement.

Competitive salary, dependent on experience. Enrolment into company's pension scheme. Discretionary Annual Bonus scheme. Generous colleague discount scheme, some of which can be shared with your family and friends! And that's not all, working for Pavers comes with so much more to enjoy:

• Free onsite parking at York Head Office.
• Death In Service Benefit.
• Holiday Entitlement (Increases with service).
• Access to RetailTRUST (Wellbeing & Financial Support).
• Access to the Pavers Foundation: employee-led grant application and charitable giving scheme.
• Access to wider training and development opportunities through Pavers Academy.
• Holidays that increase with service.
• Company Pension Contribution.
• Wellbeing Assistance through Retail Trust.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay.
• Gym Discounts.
• Multiple Retailer Discounts.